Supporter



Aug. l2, 1930. H. M. PFALTZGRAFF SUPPORTER Filed Feb. 12, 1.926 5 sheets-sheet 1 P 1 www v v S M w /J/ L m ha n m E d a ef F/ 1 f J l a :S a g k x 1d o .1 fm @f rf y C Aug. l2, 1930. H. M. PFALTzGRAx-'F A' 1,772,909

SUPPORTER Filed Feb. 12, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug.l12, 1930 l HATTXE IVI. PFALTZGRAFF, OF ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNGR TO H. yM. 1?.,

SUPPORTER CC., .A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY surronrnn l Application sied February 12, 1926. serial No. 87,777.

, My invention relates to belts or supporters utilizable for any of the vknown purposes t which structures of this character have been commonly applied, and for other desired purposes.

ln accordance with mv invention, the abdominal, or other organs or parts, are assisted in retaining their true anatomical position and relation by utilizing a supporter comprising an inner belt and an outer belt, both arranged to substantially encircle the body of the wearer, and more particularly, in tightening or belt-fastening operation the outer belt is arranged to apply pressurer over a substantial area of the body of the wearer, and particularly the abdominal region.

My invention resides in features and details of construction of the belt orsupporter hereinafter described and claimed.

For an illustration of some of the various forms my invention may take, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a supporter embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the supporter shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view, partly in plan, the section being taken on the line 3-3 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4C is a side elevational view of the supporter shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is arear 'elevational View of a supporter showing a modification.

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of a sup porter showinga further modification.

Referring to the drawings, B is van inner belt. preferably of elastic or semi-elastic knitted, porous, orequivalent, fabric or silk, silk and cotton, linen, cotton, lor other desirable material. tothe body of the wearer and extends continuously across the abdomen around the sides to the back and terminates in the vertically eX- tending strips a and Z), preferably of .inelastic cloth or equivalent fabric. A'stripc stitched, or otherwise suitably secured to the strip a, is provided with a plurality of gaps (Z, utilizable as hereinafter described. There is stitc1ied,or otherwise suitably secured to the Preferably, belt B lies neXt stripk upon its inner face the flap c. A slid` ing strap S, preferably of inelastic webbing, passes through a flattened ring or link f, preferably disposed at or adjacent one hip of the wearer, one end g of said strap extending 55 through one of the aforesaid gaps d and being secured to the edge of Hap e nearest strip c at g1 and also to the free edge of strip at g2, Fig. 3. It is to be noted that this mode of attachment provides a free strapv portion gu g3, anchored, however, at g1 'and g2 between which and the outer surface of the flap c is received the base z' of al buckle y', preferably of the character described and claimed in my application Serial No. 730,154, filedes August 5, 19211. The other end L of said sliding strap extends through another of the gaps (l and is mounted spaced from strap g Vin a manner similar to' that just described to position the base of another buckle jl on 7o the flap c. A second sliding strap s1 corresponding generally to the strap just described. also passes through a flattened ring or link 7c, preferably disposed at or adjacent the hip of the wearer opposite from link f and one endl of said strap after passing beneath the stra`p-gripping member a and snap member o of buckle j is secured to the edge of strip c, Figs. 2 and 3. lThe other end m of said second sliding strap after passing beneath the strap-gripping-A member nl and snap member 01 of buckle jl is secured to the edge ofstrip o, in spaced relation to the end Z of said second sliding strap.

Belt B also comprises the hip extensions H integral therewith and extending below the hip over the thighs, forming in effect thigh straps integral with the seamless main inner belt B.

An outer belt Bl preferably of material two identical or substantially identical sections p and Q, the latter secured to belt Bat its juncture point with strip a andthe former at the juncture point of belt B and strip b. Sections y? and g extend in opposite directiens from `the back of the wearer around. the

sides and in front terminate in the vertically extending strips r and s, preferably of inelastic cloth or similar fabric.

A panel or reinforcing strip t, or other member for applying pressure to a part of the as to height and width, depending upon the location of the part to which pressure is to be applied, is formed preferably of relatively heavy inelastic cloth or other suitable material. Said panel is preferably symmetrically located 'between strips 7 and s and preferably is adjustably secured to belt B by one or more webs u, Fig. 3, whereby the panel may be readily placed in the desired region. A plurality of sets of tension bands or laces c, preferably of inelastic material, secured in spaced relation to strips 1' and s, after passing through eyelets on either edge of panel t, converge, respectively, backward toward a common point and are each secured to a buckle e0, or similar device. A strap a?, preferably of inelastic material, connects link Zz with the buckle w adjacent thereto and a similar strap y/ connects link f with the other buckle w. Preferably, protective strips e, Fig. 3, of relatively heavy inelastic material are disposed beneath the eyeleted portions of strip t. lVith this arrangement, upon tightening laces e after panel t has been properly positioned, pressure will be applied over a substantial area of the body in the adeeted region.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, a pair of buckles al, or equivalent fastening members, are sebelt B at diametrically opposite sides thereof, adjacent the hips of the wearer. Each buckle is connected by a strip c1, preferably of inelastic material, to an elastic or semielastic leg st-rap [Z1 formed of some relatively soft material. At its other end, each leg strap is suitably connected, as by a plurality of snap fasteners, not shown, to reinforced portions el of the belt B immediately adjacent and substantially directly below the panel t, Fig. l.

If desired, one or more elastic stays f1 may be embedded in the strips a, Z) and o and the flap c, and also in the panel t, Fig. 3.

The appliance herein described should be worn low upon the abdomen next to the skin and preferably should be drawn on over the feet while the wearer is in a recumbent position. After the appliance has been placed low in the groin, the leg straps (Z1, (Z1 arev passed around the insides of the legs and fastened respectively to the buckles al. lith the appliance thus in position, the ends ,7 and ZL of strap S are adjusted toward the left,

Vwhile the Yends Z and met strap S1Y are adjusted in reverse direction, Fig. 2, thereby tightening both the inner belt B and the outer belt B1. lVhen so adjusted, the strapgripping members fn, and nl of buckles and jl are actuated to positively retain said straps in their adjusted positions by moving the ex tensions of said strap-gripping members into engagement with their respective snap members o and 01. Thereafter straps a" and y arendrawn tightly througlrtheir 'respective buckles w and, as a result, laces e are drawn through the eyelets on either side of the panel t and the ends of sections p and o are drawn toward each other. ln this manner, the outer belt B1 comprising the sections p and g is tightened and the panel t is forced inwardly toward the body of the wearer to place the requisite pressure `on the abdomen.

In performing this operation, it is to be noted that tension is equally applied to ends g and ZL of strap S, due to the fact that strap 1/ is connected thereto by link 7 whereby Said S'P is readily adjustable with re spect to the connected ends of straps g and ZL. Such would not be the case if link ff were fiedly secured to said straps. Ends Z and lml of strap S1 on the opposite side of the supporter which are connected to strap as by link Zu are manipulated in a. similar manner. lt is also to be observed that the converging ends g and Zt of strap S and strap Ag/ on one side of the supporter and the converging ends Z and m of strap Sl and strap :c on the other side of the supporter function to supplement Lne action of the belts B and B1 and particularly is this true in the region wherein said straps overlie the back of the wearer.

This structure allows great freedom of movement of the body, nevertheless applying Ypressure the 1 men or any vorgan or part to which it is desired particularly to apply pressure.

rl`he leg straps Z1 when secured in position, as aforesaid, do not interfere with the freedom of movement of the legs withrespect to the body and restrain the supporter from moving upwardly into an improper position` rlhe integral extensions H upon the inner belt B closely embrace the thighs and assist in frictionally holding the entire structure in operative position upon the body.

Referring to Fig. 5, there is illustrated. a modified form of construction for adjustably securing the various belt sections at the back of the wearer.

As shown therein, one end of belt B and the end of section p are suitably secured to a strip a2, or the like. The other end of belt B and the end of section g are likewise suitably secured to a strip b2 corresponding gcnerally with strip a2. If desired, strips a2 and Z22 maybe suitably reinforced, as by securing one or more elastic stays thereto.

i Y Strips a2 and? maybe adjustably secured together in any suitable manner, as by the lace, cord, or the like, c2 threaded or passing through eyelets Z? disposed along the outside edges of strips a2 and b2. The ends of lace c2 may be tied or Votherwise adjustably secured together, as indicated atez.

A strap ,f2 of suitable non-flexible material `stitched as indicated at g2, or otherwise suitably secured to the belt structure in any desired region vpasses preferably through a clip 7a2 likewise secured to the belt structure iny another region thereof. Primarily, the function of-clip h2 is that of preventing upward movement of strap f2. The ends of straps f2 extend in opposite directions around the body' of the wearer exteriorly of the belt structure and are suitably secured to the adjustable cloth, may be secured to strips a2' and h2 so as to extend between the skin of the wearer and the eyelet structure CZZ.

Referring to Fig. 6, there is illustrated a ,further modification of my invention parti- AtV strap overlying said belt-likestructure and cularly useful in post-operative cases.

" times, in treating' such cases it may be desirable to utilize a panel of greater dimensions than that illustrated in Fig. 1 for applying pressure to the abdomen, in which case it may be desirable to utilize the construction illus# trated in Fig. 6, vwherein a3 designates a panel of greater vdimensions and preferably sub! stantially longer than is the panel t, Fig. l, said panel a3 ycomprising a series of eyelets 3, or the like, disposed along opposite outside edges thereof. f

, Strips c3 and Z3 secured respectively to the ends of belt sections fo and g have secured thereto in spaced relation the tension bands or laces e3 passing through the eyelets h3 aforesaid in panel'c. One'group of such laces, as those secured to the upper part of strip c3, converges toward -a common point Y and the laces are secured to a. buckle f3, or the like, while the lower group is similarly connected to a buckle g3. The laces `secured to strip Z3 are likewise segregated into two groups and secured, respectively, to buckles h3 and 3.

Straps 7c3 and Z3, respectively, which may be the terminals of straps Z and m, Fig. 2, are secured, respectively, to buckles f3 and g3. Similarly, straps m3 and n3, respectively, which may be the terminals of straps g and h, Fig. Q, are secured, respectively, tovbuckles ha and 3.

bviously, when straps k3, Z3, m2 and n3 are drawnthrough their respective buckles, laces e3 are drawn through the eyelets on either side of `panel a3 to draw strips c3 and (Z3 towards each other. In this manner said panel a3 is forced inwardly toward the body of the wearer. Moreover, due to the construction described above, pressure is applied over a greater area of the abdomen and more evenly than will ordinarily be thecase when a panel of large area is used in the construction of Fig. l.

`What I claim is:

l. A supporter comprising a Vsupporting belt-like structure adapted to extend across the abdomen and around the body, a belt secured to the rear of saidstructure and divided at the front thereof, a body reinforcementof substantial area at the front of said structure adjustablyy secured to at least one free end of said belt, and means ,overlying said belt-like structure and belt for adjusting said body reinforcement with respect to said one free end of said belt.

2. A supporter comprising a supporting belt-like structure adapted to extend across the abdomen and yaround the body, a belt secured to the rear of said structure and divided at the front thereof, a body reinforcing panel of substantial area at vthe front of said structure adjust-ably secured'to one end of said belt, means comprising a plurality of laces for drawing the other end of said belt toward the adjacent edge of said panel, and

belt an'dconnected to said laces.

8. The combination with abelt adapted to encircle the body of the wearer except in a region overlying the abdomen, of a reinforcing panel, and means for Securing only the opposite edges of said panel to the ends of said belt, said means comprising a plurality of laces secured to one end of said belt and passing through apertures associated with said panel and thence converging in a direction extending from said panel.

4. The combination witlia belt adapted to encircle the body of the wearer `.except in a region overlying the abdomen, of a reinforcing panel, and means for securing only the opposite edges of said "paneltothe ends of said belt, said means comprising a fastening de--.

vice overlying saidA belt and a plurality of laces diverging from said fastening device in a direction extending toward said panel and passing through aperturesassociated therewith and thence to one end of said belt.

5. The combination with a belt adapted to encircle the body of the wearer except in a region overlying the abdomen, of a reinforcing panel, and means for securing only the opposite edges of said panel to the endsof said belt, said means comprising a fastening device including a strap overlying said belt and a plurality of laces diverging from said fastening device in a direction extending toward said panel and passing through apertures associated therewith and thence to one end of said belt.

6. A supporter comprising an inner belt adapted to extend across the abdomen and around the body, an outer belt attached to the rear of said inner belt and divided at the front thereof, a body reinforcing panel of substantial area secured to one free endfof said outer relation to the other free end "of'said outer belt and passing through spaced openings in the adjacent edge of said panel, and means for securing the tree ends of said laces in adjusted position.

7. A supporter comprising a supporting belt-like structure adapted to extend across the abdomen, around the body, and to open at the back of the wearer, a belt open at the back of the wearer overlying said belt-like structure, a reinforcing panel biased by said belt toward the abdomen of the wearer, and means for tightening said belt-like structure and belt comprising` structure secured to said belt at the front or the wearer, slidably engaging said reinforcing` panel, and secured to said belt-like structure at the baclr of the wearer.

8. A supporter comprising a supporting belt-likeV structure adapted to extend across the abdomen, around the body, and to open at the back of the wearer, a belt open at the back of the wearer overlying` said belt-'like structure and having its ends secured to the corresponding ends of said belt-like structure, a reinforcing panel biased by said belt toward the abdomen of the wearer, an d means :for simultaneously tightening said belt-like strucn ture and belt at one position comprising means for individually tightening said belt at another position.

y 9. A supporter comprising a supportingbeltlike structure adapted to extend acrossthe abdomen, around the body, an d to open at the back of the wearer, a belt comprising a plurality of sections overlying said belt-like structure,

- two of said sections at their ends facing each other being secured to the respective ends of said belt-like structure, a reinforcing panel secured to t-he other ends of said last-named sections, and means for simultaneously tightening said belt-like structure and belt at their common end portions comprising means for individually tightening said belt at said reinforcing panel.

l0. A supporter comprising a supporting belt-like structure adapted to extend across the abdomen, around the body, and to open at the back of the wearer,a belt comprising a plurality of sections overlying said beltlike structure, two of said sections at their ends facing each other being secured to the respective ends of said belt-like struct-ure, a. reinforcing panel adjustably secured to the other ends o't' said last-named sections, and means for simultaneously tensioning said belt-like structure and belt and for moving an edgevof said panel toward the end of one of said last-named sections.

ll. A supporter comprising a supporting belt-like structure adapted to extend across the abdomen, around the body, and to open at the back of the wearer, a belt comprising a plurality of sections overlying said belt-like structure, two of said sections at their ends facing each other being secured to the respective ends of said belt-like structure,areinforc ing panel adjustably secured to the other ends o1 said last-named sections, and means comprising a strap :ter simultaneously tensioning said belt-like structure and belt and for moving an edge of said panel toward the end ot' one of said last-named sections.

l2. A supporter comprising an inner belt adapted to entend across the abdomen around the body and terminating in substantially-.-

non-yielding strips at the baclr of the wearer, an outer belt comprising a pair of substantially duplicate sections, each non-adjustably attached to said inner belt in the region of said strips, means comprising a pair ot' single straps lying adjacent but outside of said belts and extending toward the :trout ot the wearer for adjustably closing said belts, a panel of substantial area in a region substantially diametrically opposite trom said strips secured to the :tree end ot one of said duplicate sections, and means connected to one of said single straps for drawing the tree end of another ot said sections vtoward the adjacent edge of said panel.

13, A supporter comprising an inner belt extending across the abdomen around the body and terminating in substantially nonyielding strips at the back of the wearer, an outer belt comprising a pair of substantially duplicate sections, each attached to said main belt in the region ot said strips, mea-ns comprising a pair of single straps lying adjacent but outside of said belts and extending toward the front of the wearer for adjustably closing the inner and outer belt at the back of the wearer, a panel of substantial area in a region substantially diametrically opposite from said strips secured to the tree end of one ot said duplicate sections, and means connected to one of said single straps and operative in a plurality of vertically spaced regions for drawing the free end of another of said sections toward the adjacent edge of said panel.

la. A supporter comprising an inner belt extending across the abdomen around the body and terminating in substantially nonyielding strips at the back of the wearer, an outer belt comprising a pair of substantially duplicate sections, each attached to said main belt in the region oi said strips, means comprising a pair of single straps lying adjacent but outside of said belts and extending toward the front of the wearer for adjustably closing the inner and outer belt at the back ot the wearer, a panel of substantial area in al region substantially diametrically opposite from said strips secured to the free end of one ot said duplicate sections, a plurality oit laces secured in spaced relation to the free end of another of said sections passing through spaced openings in the adjacent edge of said panel, and means for adjustably securing the free ends of said laces to one of said single straps.

15. A supporter comprising an inner belt extending across the abdomen around the body and terminating in Substantially nonyielding strips at the back of the wearer, an outer belt comprising a pair of substantially duplicate sections, each attached to said main belt in the region of said strips, a strap having its ends secured in spaced relation to one of said strips, a second strap having its ends secured in spaced relation to another of said strips, said straps lying adjacent but outside of said belt-s and extending in opposite directions from the back toward the sides of the wearer, whereby tightening of the belts is eected upon movement of said straps in the respective directions in which they extend, a link freely slidable upon each of said straps, single straps secured respectively to each link and extending toward the front of the wearer, a panel of substantial area in a region substantially diametrically opposite from said strips secured to the free end of one of said duplicate sections, a plurality of laces secured in spaced relation 'to the free end of another of said duplicate sections, said laces passing through spaced openings in the adjacent edge of said panel, and a buckle secured to the free ends of said laces receiving one of said single straps.

16. A supporter comprising a supporting belt-like structure adapted substantially to encircle the body of the wearer, a belt comprising two sections secured to respective ends of and overlying said belt-like structure,`

and of suchlength that the free ends of said sections terminate short of each other, a reinforcing panel disposed therebetween, and

around the body, outer belt structure fixedly attached to said inner belt and having free ends at the front there-of, a body reinforcing panel, a loop of adjustable length having one end fixedly secured to and extending I from a free end of said Outer belt structure, slidably engaging the adjacent edge of said panel., and reversely extending to a point of attachment to the supporter proper, and means similarly connecting the other free end of said belt structure to the other, adjacent side of said panel.

19. A supporter comprising an inner belt structure adapted to extend across the abdomen, around the body, and to open at the back of the wearer, an outer belt structure comprising sections overlying said inner belt structure and fixedly secured to corresponding edges thereof, a reinforcing panel biased by said cuter belt structure toward the abdomen of the wearer, and means f-or tightening said supporter comprising means for simultaneously tightening the outer and inner belt structures concurrently with individual tightening of said outer belt structure;

HATTIE M. PFALTZGRAFF.

tightening means comprising a pair of strap structures each secured to the free end of one of said sections, slidably engaging said reinforcing panel, overlying the said one of said sections, and secured to said belt-like structure at the opposite end thereof to which said other section is secured.

17. A supporter comprising a supporting Y belt-like structure adapted substantially to encircle the body of the wearer, a belt comprising two sections secured to respective ends of and overlying the belt-like structure, and of such length that the free ends Iof said sections terminate short of each other, a reinforcing panel disposed therebetween, a pair of strap structures each secured to the free ends of one of said sections, slidably engaging said reinforcing panel, reversely extending over said section, and secured to said beltlike structureat the opposite end thereof to which said other section is secured, and means to adjust the eifective length of said strap structures simultaneously to effect tightening of said belt-like structure and saidv belt.

18y A supporter comprising an inner belt adapted to extend across the abdomen and 

